Purdue Opens Second Week of Spring Ball

Interviews: Coach Odom | Coach Green | Ian Jeffries | TJ Lindsey

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue Football opened its second week of spring ball on Tuesday morning, heading outside for the first time this month as temperatures reached into the 70s.

Head coach Barry Odom was pleased with the first week of practices and the way the Boilermakers started the fourth session of the spring.

"We have gotten better every day through every drill," said Odom. "Four days in, they're hungry, and it's exciting to watch the progress being made."

Ian Jeffries and TJ Lindsey were two focal points on the Purdue defensive line a season ago. Jeffries played in every game in his first season as a Boilermaker, starting six times and racking up 20 tackles. Lindsey was poised for a big year until suffering a season-ending injury in his third game as a Boilermaker. Both transfers joined Odom is making the move to West Lafayette and neither was looking to leave after the portal opened this past offseason. 

"The coaches, I love the facilties, I just love this campus. I love Purdue, so it wasn't even hard to decide to come back," said Jeffries. "I was all in from the jump."

"I knew I was coming back. I love the program," said Lindsey. "I love the way Coach Odom leads us. Then Coach Green, and now for DC (defensive coordinator), we've got Coach Kane. I like Coach Kane and think it (the defense) will be a really good system."

The return of Jeffries and Lindsey provides stability on the Purdue defensive line, as well as leadership in the position room. Competing in a league like the Big Ten Conference, where controlling the line of scrimmage is vital, bringing back veteran playmakers was important for the Boilermakers as they take the next step under Odom. 

"It's the understanding of how we practice, the mindset, being able to feed off one another," said defensive line coach Kelvin Green. "It's year two. That camaraderie is going to show up. We just have to continue to build and play together, coach together, and be on the same page."

Purdue practices one more time later this week before adjourning for spring break.